Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin City required a stoppage-time penalty from Grady McGrath to salvage a point on a freezing night at the Carnegie Fuels Stadium at Glebe Park, following a disjointed and frustrating performance against a well-drilled Keith side.

Manager Ray McKinnon made three changes to his line-up, with Ethan Crombie and Adam Hutchinson unavailable and Finlay Allan dropping to the bench. Into the starting XI came Kieran Sweeney, Spencer Moreland and Mitch Taylor.

In the opening minute, a low cross from Mitch Taylor caused early panic in the Keith box but Cillian Sheridan couldn’t sort his feet quickly enough, allowing the visitors to clear the danger.

On 5 minutes Grady McGrath tried an improvised effort with the outside of his boot which flashed narrowly wide of the far post.

Brechin continued to probe with Fraser Macleod delivering a teasing cross which was met by the head of Kieran Sweeney - his header looked destined for the bottom corner but Reid produced a superb low stop.

On 24 minutes McGrath's corner found Sheridan inside the box but he guided his header wide of the post.

City's wastefulness in front of goal would prove costly on 28 minutes. The visitors attacked on the counter as Horace Ormsby clipped a clever ball over the top, and NATHAN MCKEOWN broke the offside trap before slamming confidently past Craig Hepburn.

Brechin should have levelled moments later. Another McGrath corner found Spencer Moreland unmarked inside the box but the midfielder headed over the bar.

City kept pushing and a stramash inside the box after a cross from the right nearly paid off, but neither Euan Spark nor Sheridan could steer the ball goalward.

Six minutes before the break, Brechin thought they had equalised when Harry Craig lashed home from close range, but the assistant’s flag quickly cut celebrations short with Sheridan adjudged offside and obstructing the goalkeeper.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Brechin almost fell further behind. Sweeney misjudged a clearance, gifting Jordan Cooper a clean run at goal. With only Hepburn to beat, the Keith man leaned back and fired over - a major let-off for the hosts.

Into the second period, Sheridan lofted a clever ball over the top for Taylor, but Reid was out sharply to block.

Midway through the half, McGrath sent a 25-yard free-kick just over, and moments later he rattled the crossbar with a ferocious effort after being teed up by substitute Finlay Allan.

With 11 minutes remaining, another McGrath strike from the edge of the box forced Reid into a low parry with defenders scrambling the rebound clear.

City continued to push for the equaliser and substitute Mitchell Findlay Mitchell tried his luck from a tight angle, but again Reid stood firm at his near post.

As the match entered stoppage time, Brechin threw everything forward. Ben Armour smashed a close-range effort toward goal, only for Reid to produce yet another brilliant stop, parrying the ball away to safety.

But the visitors’ resistance finally cracked six minutes into added time. Craig Tosh was bundled over inside the box, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Up stepped GRADY MCGRATH who showed ice-cold composure to sweep his penalty into the corner, sparking a slight sense of relief amongst the home support.

In the aftermath of the equaliser, Keith goalkeeper Craig Reid - already booked earlier for time-wasting - aimed a kick at McGrath and was shown a second yellow card, compounding an agonising end for the visitors.

Overall it was a frustrating evening for City, who created enough chances but lacked sharpness in the final third and were vulnerable to the counter. Yet, in a long season, salvaging a point on a night like this may prove crucial come the end of the campaign.

Next up for Ray McKinnon's side is a trip to Lossiemouth on Saturday as they look to get back on the winning trail.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Forres Mechanics 1 Deveronvale 3

Lossiemouth 1 Nairn County 3